Veteran Valor

THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF Master Sergeant Howard Griffin

Heather French Henry is a nationally renowned veterans’ advocate, designer, and author. She focuses on highlighting veterans’ stories, curating historical exhibits, and designing products for retailers and organizations nationwide. heatherfrenchhenry.com

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BY HEATHER FRENCH HENRY | COURTESY PHOTOS

Howard Griffi n or Sarge, as his friends call him, is the very defi nition of an American Patriot. He has the distinction of having served during three major wars in our history; WWII, Korea and Vietnam. During his long distinguished career he amassed an impressive array of medals including the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) with Two Stars, which is extremely rare.

Mr. Griffi n enlisted in the military at the tender age of 16 and spent his fi rst two Christmases in WWII. After fi rst enlisting in the Coast Guard it was determined that he was color blind. However, Griffi n had a talent that the Army needed desperately, a solder with a good aim. He grew up working in the fi elds in Alabama where one of his many talents was the ability to pick off rabbits and squirrels with one shot. It was that ability that earned him the job as a sniper during War II and then later transitioning as a machinist during Korea and Vietnam.

His military career would begin with a voyage from South Carolina to Africa. He traveled to North Africa, Oran and Algiers, where he was assigned to General Patton’s 3rd Armored Division. Some of his other campaigns included France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, the Battle of the Bulge, Japan and the Philippines. It was during WWII he received his fi rst Purple Heart, one of three that he would receive during his career. The fi rst time he was injured was in Naples, Italy rescuing a comrade from a truck that had hit a landmine and fl ipped.

As Griffi n reminisced, “I didn’t think I was even hurt, but I got back to him and he had a one leg just twisted round and round. He put his hand up side of my head and brought it back to him, it was covered with blood.”

During his many years of service he was also an advisor to leadership in Greece, Turkey, Japan, and the Iranian Army. Throughout his career, Griffi n was deployed to over 13 countries but, through it all, fi nally settled down in Kentucky where he had been stationed at Fort Knox during the latter part of his military service.

With a life of service spanning nearly three decades, three wars, retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant and raising a family, one would think that Mr. Griffi n would just sit back and relax in his golden years. Yet, at 94, Howard Griffi n is the model of health.

He exercises daily doing a mixture of fl oor exercises and riding his stationary bike. Aside from keeping an active social schedule with a wide variety of veteran events and parades, he also makes time for a number of hobbies like gardening. Riding on his golf cart around his property, Mr. Griffi n also loves to show off his handy work in his workshop where he’s refurbished a number of antique horse drawn carriages. Did I also mention he loves Corvettes? His newest edition in vibrant red is parked in his garage.

He’s accomplished so much in his life but still remains completely humble for the recognition he receives. “It does make you feel good that they still remember and recognize, not for me, but for all veterans,” states Mr. Griffi n. ■